CAIRO, April 25 (Reuters) - Egypt has asked for a

follow-up meeting with Israel in renewed efforts to mediate a

deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza

Strip, two Egyptian security sources said on Thursday.

    Egyptian, Israeli and U.S. officials held in-person and

remote meetings on Wednesday that sought concessions to break a

deadlock in months-long negotiations for a truce in the war

between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas that began on Oct. 7,

the sources said.

    Egypt believed Israel had shown more willingness to allow

displaced Gazans to return towards the north of the enclave in a

way that limited security checks and procedures for those not

suspected of militant activity, they added.

    The ability of civilians to return to northern Gaza

unimpeded and the pull-back or repositioning of Israeli forces

have been sticking points in previous rounds of ceasefire

negotiations in which Egypt and Qatar have acted as mediators.

    A meeting between Egyptian and Israeli officials was

expected to take place on Friday in Cairo, the sources said,

with further meetings with the Hamas contingent on the result.

    The United States and 17 other countries on Thursday issued

an appeal for Hamas to release all of its hostages as a pathway

to end the crisis in Gaza. Hamas vowed not to relent to

international pressure.  

(Reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan; Writing by Aidan Lewis;

Editing by Bill Berkrot)

((Aidan.Lewis@tr.com; +20-1001174410;))